Malaysia's TiungSat turns 9

Malaysian space scientists at Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB) celebrated the ninth anniversary of the launch of Tiungsat-1 on the 26th September.
Tiung SAT was the first Malaysian microsatellite, developed through the technology transfer and training programme between Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB) Malaysia and SSTL in the UK. Tiung SAT-1 was launched aboard Dnepr rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on 26 September 2000.

Tiungsat launch team showing both SSTL and customer at the launch site. From SSTL are Andy Currie, Sascha Manitz and Victor van der Zel.

The satellite was developed as part of a technology transfer and training program between ATSB in Kuala Lumpur and SSTL in the UK. Its payloads included an amateur radio relay, an Earth imaging system, a GPS-based navigation and attitude control system, as well as a data transfer experiment and a cosmic ray detector.

Tiung Sat integration

The photo to the left shows Tiung Sat at integration and was taken at the launch site. SSTL's launch expert Andy Currie is shown making final preparations to the spacecraft before it was loaded onto the launcher.
The SSTL project manager for Tiung Sat was Tim Butlin, who is now working as an Operations Manager for Macdonald Dettwiler Space and Robotics. Tim remains a regular visitor to SSTL and working on the Sapphire mission that will provide a satellite-based Resident Space Object (RSO) observing service to accurately track deep space orbiting objects.
As is often the case, the Tiung Sat program included traning and development at SSTL's premises in Guildford, UK. The aim of such programs is to give customers the tools and experience to establish their own successful Low Cost Space Programme. The Tiung Sat programme comprised a total-immersion space mission engineering experience, from blank sheet through academics, design, assembly, integration, test, launch and operations.

Tiung Sat

TiungSAT-1 was the first microsatellite for the Astronautic Technology (M) SDN. BHD. Company (ATSB) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was built by SSTL, at the Surrey Space Centre under a UKP8.4m contract (1997), within a Know- How Technology Transfer Programme between the UK and Malaysia, including the installation of a satellite control centre in Malaysia.
Just a few months ago in July ATSB also launched Razaksat-1, the first remote sensing satellite to be placed in equatorial orbit. Visit the new ATSB website for some great images, audio commentary and videos from the RazahhSat-1 launch onboard the SpaceX Falcon1 rocket.